Braintree, Quincy mayors tell guv to reject Enbridge air permits

By Michael P. NortonSTATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

Friday

Jan 11, 2019 at 3:26 PM

The mayors of Braintree and Quincy are amplifying the chorus of opposition to a major natural gas project on the shores of the Fore River in Weymouth, urging Gov. Charlie Baker to deny air quality permits sought by Enbridge Energy.

Echoing concerns already registered by elected officials and residents on the South Shore, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and Braintree Mayor Joe Sullivan, in letters sent to Baker on Thursday, said the state's own studies show carcinogens already exceed allowable levels in the area where the proposed compressor station would be built.

The project "would simply allow the natural gas companies to further increase the toxic pollutants in an area already facing higher than normal rates of cancer causing toxins in the air thereby furthering the health risks to the resident of Braintree, Hingham, Quincy and Braintree," Sullivan wrote in his letter, which was obtained by the News Service on Friday morning and authenticated by the mayor's staff.

In a separate letter, also dated Thursday, Koch cited "alarming data" in the state's health impact statement regarding the presence of toxins and carcinogens in the project area.

Predicting the project could worsen those conditions, Koch wrote, "I am deeply troubled by the strain another facility of this kind will put on the Fore River basin, an area without question already dangerously overburdened with heavy industrial uses."

A health impact assessment ordered by Baker in 2017 was released Jan. 4 and predicted "no substantial changes in health from direct exposures from the station itself with the exception of sound levels during construction." The study was conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council after Baker charged state public health and environmental protection officials with preparing a health impact assessment.

Citing the project's potential to elevate stress levels and cause "mental health issues," the impact statement predicted "negative changes" were possible in connection with "an increased perception of risk in the surrounding areas related to perceived pollution levels and less comfort with using nearby outdoor space."

And while recommending the installation of an air quality monitor and the dissemination of radon testing information, it found "air emissions and sound do not exceed health-protective regulatory standards and guidelines with the exception of estimated sound levels during construction."

In another letter this week, 14 South Shore lawmakers told Baker there is "more than enough evidence to prove that this location is inappropriate for the siting of a natural gas compressor station." The legislators said current levels of formaldehyde and benzene, as measured during the state-authorized health impact review, showed the Fore River basin is already above recommended state limits for the carcinogens.

The health impact statement also found residents of Braintree, Quincy and Weymouth already experience higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular conditions, compared to the state average.

Asked about the calls for Baker to reject the air permits, an Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs spokesman issued a statement Wednesday calling the health impact statement an "important next step."

"The Metropolitan Area Planning Council's work with state agencies to analyze health and air quality conditions in the Fore River area is an important next step and the administration appreciates this effort," EEA spokesman Peter Lorenz said. "While the federal government has the primary jurisdiction over siting of interstate pipeline projects, we will continue to engage stakeholders and local leaders before reaching our decision on several outstanding permits and approvals."

Baker and environmental regulators in his executive branch are expected to rule by Friday on the air permits, a decision that both supporters and opponents of the proposed facility describe as pivotal to the project's future. More than many other elected officials, Baker has been an advocate for natural gas as public officials grapple with energy system impacts on climate change and ensuring safe, reliable and affordable energy sources.

Any appeals of state permitting decisions must be settled by June 28, under an agreement that was put in place when permitting was delayed to facilitate the health impact statement process, State Sen. Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth, said.